Advance booking for Yash Raj Films’ magnum opusDhoom 3 opened to a phenomenal response at multiplexes and single-screens across India, with the first weekend shows already 60 per cent fully booked three days prior to the film’s release. In most circuits, advance booking opened on Sunday and since then, tickets have been selling like hot cakes. Distributors feel by Thursday, the first week will be all sold out.

The film marks the third instalment in the Dhoomfranchise and features Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra and Katrina Kaif. The film is expected to earn massive returns at the box office and break the record for a non-holiday release.

Following is a report on advance booking from distributors in various circuits.

Rajesh Thadani, Multimedia Combines, Mumbai

Everyone is eagerly awaiting the release of Dhoom 3. Since Aamir Khan and Yash Raj Films have teamed up, expectations are higher than usual. Frankly, I have never witnessed such a frenzy for advance booking. All-India, advance booking is 75 per cent including multiplexes and a few single screens, and in Mumbai, it is 70-per cent. It is safe to say that this film will create enormous box office records. The weekend shows are 70 per cent booked. It will definitely break records that were created this year.

The film has been assigned over 4,000 screens all-India and over 1,500 in Mumbai. In Mumbai, ticket rates vary from Rs 500 to Rs 900 at multiplexes.

Jaspal Dhingra, Nanaskar Enterprises, East Punjab

The advance booking for Dhoom 3 is extraordinary. Usually, in Punjab, advance booking doesn’t draw too much of a response as there is a cinema hall in practically every locality. The opening of Dhoom 3 will be huge. Until now, we have witnessed 40 per cent advance booking for Friday. I am assuming that the weekend will be house full.

Debashish Dey, Aum Moviez, West Bengal

Today, we witnessed 35-per cent advance booking and, by tomorrow, it should be 100 per cent for the weekend. In fact, a few single-screens are yet to open advance booking. The advantage Dhoom 3enjoys is that there has been no big release after Krrish 3 and audiences are waiting for this film to release. It will definitely break records and create new ones. Ticket rates in West Bengal start at Rs 500 in multiplexes.

Vasudev Chachan, Sunny Films, Rajasthan

Dhoom 3 has already broken the record for advance booking. It’s only Tuesday and 70 per cent tickets have already sold for the weekend. By Thursday, the first week should be sold out. In Rajasthan, tickets are priced between Rs 400 and Rs 500 in multiplexes.

Ravi Machhar, Sahyog Films, Nizam

The film has seen 80 to 90 per cent advance booking and the number is rising as we speak. Dhoom 3 is expected to be one of the biggest grossers of all time. I have never seen advance booking like this before. In fact, we don’t usually have advance booking in Aurangabad but we have sold 60 per cent tickets already! For Friday, all five shows in every multiplex are already booked. In a small town like Selu, where the population is only in the thousands, 300 tickets have already sold!

Jeetu Khandelwal, Pioneer Movies, Orissa

Dhoom 3 is seeing an extraordinary response in Orissa, where we have only one multiplex. Still, advance booking for the film is 70 per cent for the weekend. Dhoom 3 has been allotted 110 screens in the Orissa circuit.

B H Basha, Bahar Enterprises, Mysore

The film has experienced 70 per cent advance booking so far. Booking opened on Sunday and, in just three days, 70 per cent of tickets have been sold. Just wait till Thursday! The first week will see extraordinary collections. With such a positive response, Dhoom 3 will enjoy a smooth run at the box office.